Thursday, August 12, 2010

MasterChef: The Last Chapter

And so it ended, not with a bang but a whimper. I was the last person eliminated before the final 14. When I was asked to turn my apron in, the only people looking on were winners- people who would go on competing, learn new cooking techniques, meet famous chefs, and have a chance to write their own cookbook.

And yet, as I walked out of the best kitchen I'd ever set food in, I was kinda relieved. Don't get me wrong- at the actual moment Chef Ramsay asked me turn my apron in, I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach. There are pictures to prove it. But as soon as I walked out, I felt strangely calm. When asked what I would do with my life now that I had been eliminated, I gave them a puzzled look and said, "Go back to being an attorney," in my standard, matter of fact way.

And that's exactly what I did. Because that's what was expected of me, and really, what I expected of myself. See, I didn't grow up in a house where cooking was venerated. My mom cooked and she was a great cook. But that was almost expected. In almost every immigrant family I knew, the mom cooked and she was a great cook. When I told my parents I was doing the competition, they were flabbergasted. They couldn't comprehend that they had sacrificed everything to give me a better life and I was jeopardizing that to try to be a chef.

And truth be told, neither could I. On the show, I was surrounded by people who were truly passionate about cooking. They could poach an egg in their sleep, top it with wine-braised mushrooms, and never dream about over-scrambling it. They quit their jobs, dropped out of school, and otherwise changed the way they lived to prepare for this experience. I, on the other hand, happened to be a decent cook who continued to live my life like this was no big deal. Even the morning before I flew out to LA, I was at work at 6:00 a.m., emailing clients, and leaving instructions for my absence. So it wasn't all that surprising that I wasn't chosen as one of the fourteen best home cooks in America. At that time, I didn't deserve to be.

Enough time has passed that I'm no longer sad. More, nostalgic. A lot of truly great things have come about as a result of MasterChef. The experience inspired me to roast my first chicken, led to my first official catering gig and spurred me to document my cooking adventures on this blog. Heck, I even got to cook on the local Fox morning news. I've made new friends and surprised the people at work by actually having a hobby that does not consist of litigation. Most importantly, I realized I'm not ok with just being a decent cook. I want to work to be an awesome cook. Maybe even a master chef, someday. And that realization may be worth being the last person eliminated.

PS: Today is the last day to enter my giveaway! What are you waiting for?

Dear Azmina, I feel like no matter what, your insights about the experience AFTER being eliminated are the most precious. I'd probably feel the same way as you and your family. The MasterChef saga was definitely a very very incredible experience and journey for you, but in the end, I'm so glad that you took the elimination well, and that you've still got that awesome head on your shoulders. It's important to give way to opportunities when they come up--but equally important to be realistic when the opportunity retracts itself on you. Good on you for doing both of those things. :-)

I've always said that everything is worth trying, so long as you can walk away from it with either a) a really entertaining story or b) a better understanding of yourself.Obviously you've achieved both those things, and then some.Plus, I'm pretty sure you're a much better lawyer than any of the top 14... and that's gotta count for something, right? :)

Azmina, your experience has complimented who you are and the way you have handled yourself is just a testament as to the wonderful person you are. I was SO rooting for you. Best of luck with your culinary adventure!

No matter what has happened, remember all those people you beat out to get onto MasterChef. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. And to get such a compliment from Chef Gordon Ramsay? Well, I cannot even put into words how proud I am of you. I'm really glad you took the chance and enjoyed your journey. Like I mentioned before, always walk with your chin up my friend cause you are a huge inspiration Azmina! You rock!

When I was watching the show I kept thinking "Damn this is intense!" I'm so impressed with how well you handled the pressure. I'm glad you are staying positive and thinking about the doors that did open after the show. I stress out way to much, you have definitely inspired me.

I think you are absolutely amazing and I loved watching you! You certainly impressed Ramsey and everyone else. Keep pursuing your passions! (I think I was one of the few whose mother's did not cook - she can turn on a stove but only to boil water for tea. No joke).

I saw your elimination and was so bummed that I don't get to watch you in future episodes (your voice did not sound cartoonish at all BTW)! Still, what an amazing experience and your perspective is so grounded. Cheers, to whatever adventure is heading your way next!

Hey, you still have plenty of time to be one of the best home cooks in America! Plus, why do we always want to be 'the best'? I would expect that you're probably a darn good cook to be so food focused and to have gone on this show/have a blog, etc. That's all great as it is-me thinks?!Plus, you have guts. I was contacted by Food Network to come try out for some show, and I didn't cause I'm such a chicken (smile)! Camera shy for sure...

You are amazing to me...such a great attitude! And I think it is incredible that you were selected to be on the show. You are talented and personable and beautiful...so it really should be no surprise!

Oh my gosh! I don't know where i've been but for some reason I thought you didn't get on the show and here I was watching you the other night and didn't even know it! I was telling my husband all about you and how I wished you had made it on the show and you were right in front of me!!! Great job, girl! sooooo proud of you. What a great attitude and spirit you have.

You are one of the very talented, and this must have been an amazing experience...When the time is right for you, and if it is truly what you desire - It will be :) Congrats on your catering job! It was all very exciting and I enjoyed going along with you :)

Wow Azmina! What a ride! I certainly enjoyed it vicariously. I know that you can accomplish whatever endeavors you aspire to, whether it be famous chef or famous attorney or both! And remember, that even cooking as a hobby will give you a lifetime of pleasure!

A HUGE congrats to you, Azmina. I would never have had the gumption to do what you did. Great job! And you know what? You're the Master Chef in your own kitchen, cooking for your favorite people. That's all that matters in my book. :-)

Congratulations you did amazing ! I would never have had the guts to even try and you did and you were selected !! Not only that you received accolades from Gordon on your biryani (speaking of which, you should post the recipe:) . In addition you showed that you could have a job and be a chef :)

Awww you should feel totally honored that you made it on the show!!! You were amazing and are a true star. If it were me on there? I would have frozen up and passed out! Congrats... And you'll have those memories forever :) :)

I read through this last night, but didnt get a moment to leave a comment! I think your attitude about the whole thing is amazing, and that you can obviously appreciate the experience and opportunity while keeping it all in perspective, which is great. I am sure that you gave it your all and we are so proud of you! (hm, that sounds slightly mother-ish, but it is still true nonetheless) I can't wait to see what other challenges you take on in the future!

I was so disappointed when you were voted off, but it was so cool to be watching someone "I know" on the show. You took such a huge step doing this! Lawyer or chef, it doesn't matter, just follow your dreams! :-)

I was totally impressed by your dish! If they gave me that challenge I'd present scrambled eggs with a couple veggies in it that they would probably spit out. Just to be standing in front of them and get that far is so impressive!

You went through the grinder and you came out in ONE AWESOME PIECE!!! You're my hero and I'm proud to say "I know her!" I would have cried long before I got eliminated :P I don't handle stress well at all *blush* You are magnificent Azmina!!!

I am so proud of you the way you handled everything. I cannot handle stress very well. Every time they show your face on TV I get excited and I tell my husband "that's her, that's her. And OMG, what is in the Biryani that you cooked that Gordon Ramsay said he's been waiting for this for a long time and bear hug you like that. I'm sure everybody want to see the recipe here on your blog. Cheers dear.

I am SO proud of you Azmina! I can imagine your relief, in a way. being on a show like that sounds incredibly successful and then I feel like the further along you get, the harder it is to justify returning to your old life at the end of it. Personally, I'm super glad you started this blog otherwise we never would have "met"!

I just finished watching this episode and am so impressed with everything you accomplished. I am also impressed about your mature outlook and take on it all. Don't forget - your biryani ROCKED!!!!! It was fun watching you!

Sorry I have not stopped by, I had the first couple of epsiodes on my dvr, I went away for vacation and did not want to stop by your blog until I had seen the epsiodes, I think you did GREAT!!! I would have folded under the pressure, and your so cute on camera....CONGRATS!!!and you should feel proud and had fun, hugs

Great outlook and perspectives on it all. You should be really, really proud of where you got to. Lawyer Loves Lunch should be a testament to how far you've come since the casting call. Congrats again, and I look forward to seeing you continue your personal journey to become a master chef.

I know exactly what you mean- I grew up in the same sort of culture. Cooking was normal, not extraordinary. Being a lawyer on the other hand was a goal. I reached it. And I myself find cooking normal. If I had two of me, one would be a cook, but in the meantime, the one I have stays a lawyer.

C) I know what you mean. Its the middle eastern standard. ;) Start a bakery? When you have all these opportunities?! lol I loved how you responded oh so matter of factly "Go back to being an attorney,"

hopefully I can say that one day too :) (but thats quite a few years away)